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ECONOMIC OUTLOOK REPORTS
This comprehensive NAW 3Q26 Forecast is a guide to the U.S. wholesale distribution economy, providing a historical, current and future snapshot of numerous key economic indicators in one convenient place along with our exclusive sector-specific forecasts for 19 different product categories. Its economic indicator data is updated through July 17.
This comprehensive MDM 2Q26 Forecast is a guide to the U.S. wholesale distribution economy, providing a historical, current and future snapshot of numerous key economic indicators in one convenient place along with our exclusive sector-specific forecasts for 19 different product categories. Its economic indicator data is updated through May 15.
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See our updated monthly deal counts; a year-to-date breakdown of M&A activity by product category; the latest EBITDA trading multiples for 27 publicly traded industrial distributors; our latest M&A-led Premium article; and our detailed recap of dealmaking activity during April-June, which saw decelerated but still healthy activity.
See our breakdown of M&A activity by product category, the latest EBITDA trading multiples for 27 publicly traded industrial distributors; our latest Premium articles, which take deep dives into the M&A strategies of two prominent companies; and our detailed recap of dealmaking activity during January-March, which was the busiest three-month stretch since May-July 2024.
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This MDM Case Study examines how Stellar Industrial Supply built a differentiated growth model around documented customer savings, service-first selling and digital execution — turning measurable value creation into a durable platform for customer loyalty, expansion and operational excellence.
How has Singer Industrial grown into a 55-plus-company platform while preserving local leadership and culture? This MDM Case Study explores the industrial rubber, fluid power and automation distributor’s coordinated autonomy model, acquisition strategy and technology investments that are helping drive scale, efficiency and long-term growth.
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This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).
After following a yo-yo pattern in the wake of the Great Recession, distributor performance appears to have leveled off. The following analysis by Al Bates, director of research for Profit Planning Group and principal of the Distribution Performance Project, examines key profit drivers in wholesale distribution across 31 lines of trade. This article includes historical data from the past five years and trends in 2014, the latest year for which full data is available.
This article includes:
- Distributor ROA by line of trade, year & segment
- Sales growth & gross margin for distributors
- Inventory turnover & days sales outstanding for distributors
Subscribers should log in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- MDM-Baird Distribution Survey: Grinding to a Halt
- MDM Interview: Beyond Change Management
- Top Trends for 2016
Distributors can benefit from rethinking how they do business. And General Motor's investment in Lyft provides a few timely lessons on this.
Subscribers should log in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- 3 Keys to a Successful Digital Strategy
- Integrated Supplys Next Phase
- Rebranding Road Map
A joint MDM-Real Results Marketing survey revealed that inside sales teams struggle in balancing proactive and reactive sales activities. This article examines how distributors can streamline those activities to make their inside sales teams more effective and increase revenue.
This article includes:
- How inside sales teams spend their time
- Ways distributors' measure inside sales teams
- Tips for improving effectiveness of inside sales
Subscribers should log in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- Who's My Coach? The Changing Role of Sales Managers
- Industry 4.0: Technology-Driven Change
- AJ Adhesives Takes Service to New Level
U.S. supply chains evolve to changing demand.
Subscribers should log in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- M&A: Easing the Transition
- 3 Keys to a Successful Digital Strategy
- College Connection: Virtuous Cycle
The MDM Market Analysis, based on data from MDM Analytics, includes consumption of janitorial supplies by end user in the U.S., plus the top end users by 6-digit NAICS.
Subscribers should log in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- MDM Pricing Trends Report: Third Quarter 2015
- Market Analysis: Safety Products Consumption in the United States
- Forecast: Continued Growth in 2016
After following a yo-yo pattern in the wake of the Great Recession, distributor performance appears to have leveled off. The following analysis by Al Bates, director of research for Profit Planning Group and principal of the Distribution Performance Project, examines key profit drivers in wholesale distribution across 31 lines of trade. This article includes historical data from the past five years and trends in 2014, the latest year for which full data is available.
This article includes:
- Distributor ROA by line of trade, year & segment
- Sales growth & gross margin for distributors
- Inventory turnover & days sales outstanding for distributors
Subscribers should log in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- MDM-Baird Distribution Survey: Grinding to a Halt
- MDM Interview: Beyond Change Management
- Top Trends for 2016
Distributors can benefit from rethinking how they do business. And General Motor's investment in Lyft provides a few timely lessons on this.
Subscribers should log in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- 3 Keys to a Successful Digital Strategy
- Integrated Supplys Next Phase
- Rebranding Road Map
A joint MDM-Real Results Marketing survey revealed that inside sales teams struggle in balancing proactive and reactive sales activities. This article examines how distributors can streamline those activities to make their inside sales teams more effective and increase revenue.
This article includes:
- How inside sales teams spend their time
- Ways distributors' measure inside sales teams
- Tips for improving effectiveness of inside sales
Subscribers should log in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- Who's My Coach? The Changing Role of Sales Managers
- Industry 4.0: Technology-Driven Change
- AJ Adhesives Takes Service to New Level
U.S. supply chains evolve to changing demand.
Subscribers should log in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- M&A: Easing the Transition
- 3 Keys to a Successful Digital Strategy
- College Connection: Virtuous Cycle
The MDM Market Analysis, based on data from MDM Analytics, includes consumption of janitorial supplies by end user in the U.S., plus the top end users by 6-digit NAICS.
Subscribers should log in below to read this article.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe below or learn more. Subscribers also have access to the following related articles:
- MDM Pricing Trends Report: Third Quarter 2015
- Market Analysis: Safety Products Consumption in the United States
- Forecast: Continued Growth in 2016
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